English Church, Protestant church in La Villa district, Bagni di Lucca, Italy
The English Church is a religious building featuring neoclassical design with clean lines and white walls that blend Italian and British construction methods. Today the structure houses a public library and hosts regular cultural events, including film screenings, making it a dual-purpose community space.
Giuseppe Pardini designed and built this religious structure in 1839 with permission from Carlo Ludovico, Duke of Lucca, to serve Protestant visitors. Its construction reflects the openness of the local rulers toward religious diversity during the resort's early growth.
The church served as a gathering place for English visitors during the height of Bagni di Lucca's popularity as a spa resort for wealthy travelers. It reflects how important this building was to the foreign community that made the town its home.
The building is easy to reach in the La Villa district and can be visited during library hours. Keep in mind that some areas may have limited access depending on ongoing events or archival work.
Original chairs from the local casino are preserved inside the building, creating a surprising link between the religious space and the resort's entertainment history. This unusual connection tells the story of how the building served both spiritual and social purposes.
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